In just a few days, it will have been 45 years since Helen Keller died. Born on June 27, 1880, she became both blind and deaf before the age of two. Her early childhood is well known thanks to the play The Miracle Worker and the several films that were made based on it. Miss Keller died on June 1, 1968, not quite four weeks before her 88th birthday.
Helen Keller had a wonderful friend and teacher named Anne Sullivan.
Here, in rare newsreel footage from 1930, Anne Sullivan explains, well, you'll see (2:58)....
After Anne Sullivan died in 1936, Polly Thompson became Helen Keller’s teacher and interpreter to the world. Here they are together in later years (3:06).
Helen Keller was a great inspiration to many, many people and remains so to this day. Those to whom she is not should be ashamed of themselves.
Yes, I will "see" but Helen Keller won't. The verb "see" often seems inappropriate when applied to the blind. Don't you think it's great that she was an Alabamian?
ReplyDeletePudding, I've never really thought about her being an Alabamian particularly, but any state would be proud to be able to claim her. I do know that when the U.S. was producing a series of 50 quarters honoring statehood, Alabama's quarter said "Helen Keller" in both English and Braille and also the words "Spirit of Courage" (which was a much better choice, I thought, than "Home of Bull Connor").
ReplyDeleteHelen Keller is also one of the two people honored by the state of Alabama, with a statue in the U.S. Capitol.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know the anniversary of her death was coming up, but I happen to be preparing a post about her myself, having just finished reading William Gibson's play with my son.
An amazing woman, with remarkable strength and talents. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Thank you for the video links. I can't recall that I ever before heard Miss Keller speak. "Spirit of Courage," indeed!
ReplyDeleteI watched. If that doesn't bring inspiration, than I wonder what will.
ReplyDeleteThank you for an enlightening posting of the resilient determination that was Helen Keller.
A peaceful, positive long weekend to you and your loved ones.
Gary
Wow, truly an inspiring woman. A lesson to myself for sure that the obstacles in my own life now seem somewhat pale in comparison and I am newly inspired to keep trying! Thank you for sharing! I loved the Helen Keller story when I read it as a child, but had never seen/heard her as an adult. Truly we are 'fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14).
ReplyDeleteThank you, LightExpectations, Pat (an Arkansas stamper), klahanie (Gary), and Hilltopphomesteader (that's a mouthful) for sharing my opinion.
ReplyDelete